[Greek] νεύω (neuō), [Latin] innuere, [Latin] nuere, [Old English] nodden: Jn.13:24, Acts 24:10, to nod, to beckon, to signal, to gesture, to motion
The First Eucharist: painting by Juan de Juanes (1562). The artist uses facial expressions to create drama and movement.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to nod, to beckon, to incline in any direction, to decline, to assent, to agree, and to bend down. Aristophanes’ Peace 883 states “Ah. There is one who makes a sign to you.” Sophocles’ Antigone 270 states “When our investigating got us nowhere, someone spoke up and made us all bend our faces in fear towards the earth.” Homer’s Odyssey 16.283 states “When Athena, rich in counsel, shall put it in my mind, I will nod to thee with my head, when thou notes it, take all the weapons of war that lie in thy halls.” Euripides’ Iphigenia in Aulis 1581 states “It was no slight sorrow filled my heart as I stood with bowed head.”
Old Testament: Nod is the Hebrew root of the verb to wander. The implication is that Cain, being in disgrace, was sent to wander aimlessly. The biblical Nod was a place of anguished exile rather than of peaceful sleep. Gen. 4:16 states: “Cain then left the Lord’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”
New Testament: This term means to gesture, to motion, and to nod. While seated together with His disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled. Jesus was planning to reveal the one who will betray Him. Peter nods to Jesus in hearing to what He has to say. Paul was held captive by the Roman authorities. The governor motioned to Paul to speak in his defense. Paul defended himself against these accusations. Instead, Paul admits and stresses the continuity between Judaism and Christianity.
Scripture:
“Then the governor motioned him to speak and Paul replied, ‘I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years and I am so pleased to make my defense before you.’” Acts 24:10
In his defense, Paul disputes the charges brought for him. Paul admits that Paul belongs to the Way.
“So Simon Peter nodded to Him to find out whom He meant.”
Jesus later reveals that it will be Judas.
John Steinbeck’s East of Eden: This book recreates the seminal stories of Genesis through the intertwined lives of two American families.
Conclusion:
Nod, innuendo
It was interesting to discover the more nuanced meanings of this term. Such examples include agreeing and assenting. This term can also mean humbleness and contriteness (bowing one’s head). In Gen. 4:16 God exiles Cain to the Land of Nod, east of Eden. Jonathon Swift makes a pun on this in one of his poems. He says going to sleep is like going to the Land of Nod.
I must nod in recognition that this term is about just nodding. I think you will agree with me on this.